Pangaea Guides

Professional Sea Kayak and Glacier Guides

Pangaea Adventures hires to the highest standards and focuses on guides with a great balance of experience, safety, friendly personality, and education. Our guides care about the overall experience of every guest and strive to balance recreation and education. Each guide practices “leave no trace” ethics and creates a comfortable atmosphere for all levels of kayakers. Each head guide is trained in advanced wilderness medicine and rescue. Their backgrounds are all in guiding and teaching. We hire adults who are personable, friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, patient, responsible, and safe.

Tim Duffy aka “Duff”

Duff has many years of experience guiding paddling, backpacking and ski-mountaineering trips throughout Alaska. Originally a Maine-ahh, Duff ski guides winters, explores the world on vacation, and is also one of our boat captains. You can sit back and enjoy the cruise with Duff while he throws fun facts at you and sometimes even raps them. He acquired the company in 2008 and says the Valdez vistas still have him in awe.

Kristina Duffy

A native to the Chicago area, Kristina has been running the office for over a decade. She graduated with a double BA in Environmental Studies and Spanish from Lake Forest College, and has since spent the off-season roaming the U.S. and Latin America. Ask her about exploring Machu Picchu, her background in gardening, or how she juggles Pangaea along with two toddlers. You can also ask her all about Pangaea Adventures, or about how she’s enjoyed her transition to the Land of the Midnight Sun.

David Schmidtman

Dave is the friendly, funny, bright and weathered captain of our workhorse the Mayflower Star. Originating in northern Minnesota, he gained much of his captaining experience running outdoor enthusiasts along Lake Superior’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan. Although you’d never hear it from him, Dave is a true handyman, and no-one this far north can draw a quicker Leatherman. He brings with him a stout work ethic, distinct kindness and rich dialect, and we are all lucky to have him on the team.

Ryan Doughty

Having spent multiple summers in AK fishing and cruising, Captain Ryan is no stranger to these parts. From running his own snack-slinging company, to teaching snowboarding, working as a chef, and running yachts out of FLA, he brings with him a world of experience. His quick wit and stout sense of humor will be sure to get you chuckling and put you at ease as you explore the Sound with us.

Emma Davis

Emma ditched the midwest to pursue her dream of spending time in Alaska. She is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership Management from Northern Michigan University, and had previously been a sea kayak guide on Lake Superior. Now she is a positive, easy-going, and fun addition to our team here in Valdez and you’d be lucky to have her as your guide. She likes snowboarding, reading books, board games, and live music, and has a lot of cool stats up her sleeves to share with you on any trip you take with her!

Terry Smith

Terry joins Pangaea this summer as a raft and sea kayak guide, following his retirement from a 30+ year career in sales and marketing. But don’t let ol’ graybeard fool you, he has a world of paddling experience and even competed in the World Wildwater Championships in France back in 2012. Terry is as easy going as he is experienced, and when he’s not on the water, you can find him hiking, mountain biking, climbing, mountaineering, skiing, or enjoying a cold brew in the sun with his wife & pup. We’re pumped to have Terry on our team this summer, and he’s sure to bedazzle you with his kind demeanor and his well-versed knowledge of this area.

Anna Cornell

Anna is as sweet as they get. Originally hailing from Ohio, she decided to follow her calling to be a part of the world’s natural ecosystems, migrating from Toledo to Madison to study WildlifeEcology and Zoology at UWM. Along the way she found herself as a camp counselor in California, and now she joins the Pangaea team to experience all that Valdez has to offer. She is fun and dependable, and has a special spot in her heart for all things outdoors. When she’s not in the office or in a kayak, she’s probably out for a hike, or teaching herself how to play the guitar or crochet. Ask her about serving ice cream with nitrogen, or about how she became the point person for her graduating class.

Dean Cooper

This boy scout comes to Pangaea straight out of a clam bake – but don’t worry if the seafood picnic is not your thing, Dean has plenty of other qualities we admire. As an Environmental Studies & Forestry major at the University of Vermont, Dean is at ease here between the mountains and the ocean. He grew up on boats and loves his morning coffee salted with a view of the harbor. He is a quick learner and carries a positive energy; whether it’s in the office, paddling a kayak, or getting around town, Dean is sure to take good care of you!

Michael Smith

Michael left behind the city skylines of the East Coast for the thrill of whitewater out West, and he hasn’t looked back since. A true whitewater enthusiast, he’s rafted and kayaked in Denali National Park, the Grand Canyon, Glacier National Park, and Ecuador. Michael fell in love with Keystone Canyon and now spends all his free time in search of local rivers to run. Ask him how long it took him to packraft 120 miles, or why he loves spreadsheets so much, or how many gaskets he has repaired this month. Whether it’s on the Lowe River or in the Sound, Michael will paddle you safely from start to finish and always has a smile on his face.

Baird Doud

Hailing from Minnesota, Baird decided to pause his organic chemistry tutoring sessions to experience life outside the lab. His flat water background and squirrel watching past-time led him on a quest to find where the real wild things are… Up North. But don’t let his midwestern nice personality and blueberry eyes fool you, he also has a deadpan sense of humor and flute skills that’ll blow you away.

Billy Hale

Billy takes a break from San Diego to join us this summer as our office manager. His background in rhetoric and writing make him the perfect guy for the job – he is cool and creative and can communicate effectively to tell you all about our tours. You can find him listening to electronic music while juggling guest logistics in the office, or producing his own beats and visual art, or hanging out in the sun on a day off. Step into the office to say Hi to Billy, we’re jazzed to have him on the team!

Taylor McBride

Originally from Colorado, Taylor takes a break from her Intercultural Peace-building and Political Science textbooks for another summer of guiding in Alaska. She enjoys surfing, skateboarding, climbing, reading, and macaroni and cheese. Ask her how she’s related to humpback whales, and why she prefers the cooler waters of AK. She’s super sweet and sure to show you a good time!

Macee Hussey

Macee hails from Seattle, WA, and joins the Pangaea team for her second season after having just graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Environmental Studies and Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. She brings with her an infectious liveliness, a sparkly smile, a distinct kindness, a profound passion for the outdoors as well as traveling the world, and quite the headful of fiery red hair! We sincerely hope that during your travels here you are fortunate enough to meet Macee.

Kenny Stepien

Kenny grew up sea kayaking and surfing off the coast of Southern California before trading beaches for zipline guiding in the mountains of Montana. He made his way to Alaska after realizing he could have both, and is thrilled to be back on the water this summer. Kenny is as handy as he is hardworking, having built out a van he lived in while traveling around British Columbia. He loves cooking for others and can teach you how to make all different kinds of pasta sauces. You’re in for a good time with Kenny as your guide!

Emma Houston

Easy E is one of those gals that you always want on your team. She’s got more experience under her (tow)belt than most folks twice her age. An Environmental Studies and Ecology major from the University of Maine, Emma joins Pangaea for yet another summer as our lead guide. Growing up in a family of raft guides, Emma learned water safety and paddle techniques at a young age. When she’s not practicing her rolls, leading multi sport adventures, or helping others learn the ropes, Emma enjoys running, skiing, berry picking, a good book, and exploring the world. She’s fun, sweet, wicked sharp, and she’ll blow your mind with her knowledge of Alaska!

Ruby Rose

Born and raised in Valdez, meet our team mascot, Ruby! She’s Australian Shepherd and Australian Cattle Dog, but her red heeler genes run strong. She loves swimming and playing frisbee most, but will join any adventure you take her on. She enjoys biking, hiking, kayaking, sun bathing and boat rides and is always on the hunt for a stinky salmon carcass. Ruby joined the Duffy family and Pangaea team in 2017 and is always making new friends. Stop by our office to say hello sometime, and look out for her many siblings around town!

Dylan Duffy

This creative little guy joined the team almost 5 years ago. He didn’t have much of a choice, as he was born into Pangaea and has been steeped in the adventure since conception. He enjoys helping mom in the office, driving boats with dad, or practicing slap shots in the garage with his pal Ruby. Ask Dylan to help you fix a kayak, and he’ll be there with his toy tools in a heartbeat!

Ava Duffy

Ava is in the same boat as Dylan. Literally. She can’t escape the lifestyle that is Pangaea now that she’s entered the arena. She graces us with her silly smile and her bouncy curls, and her determination to follow her big brother everywhere. At barely even a year old, Ava has already spent countless hours deckhanding and helping with reservations, but she is best at making sure mom and dad stay on task and are productive. This gal is ready to roll at any minute and we anxiously await her kayak skills to show themselves!